Book review: Hatheli Pe Suraj by Dr. Darakshan Andrabi
Tousif Raza
Reading books and comparing them, checking their depth and approach to human soul is a difficult task, yet I read the book seriously and form my own opinion on them. Some of the books I’ve read in the past month also include a collection of poems by Dr. Darakhshan Andarbi, entitled “HATHELI PE SURAJ”(Sun on the Palm).
This book is based on blank verse poems. There are 56 poems in this book, some are elongated and some are small, each poem is a universe in itself. Some poems are new experiences in terms of creativity but some poems produce wisdom from the old treasure of experiences.
While reading this book seriously I came out with an opinion that the taste of Darakhshan Andarbi’s poems is always beautiful and unique. Combining the bitterness of neem and the sweetness of mango, a new text has been put forward.
While reading these poems in “HATHELI PE SURAJ”, I felt that the feminine riots and protests in the Kashmir Valley have been given a voice whose flame does not burn the reader but gives pleasure to the fire of the poplar trees. These poems point to a bright future that will illuminate thousands of lights to come. This light further illuminates the sun on the palm of every poet to be a sun as well.
Through these poems she is seen standing in the land of light where the darkness itself is in pursuit of her in fear. Maybe she too longs for the ray of light. In the valley of thoughts, every poem is burning like a bonfire. The fire is icy and there is a feeling of stillness in the poet’s way of thinking and expression.
This poetry is actually an expression of tense but controlled situation. Of course, reciting these poems is tantamount to enjoying bath after a long time. It was a ghazal that connected my relationship with Darakhshan Andarbi. Apparently I have not met her but there are metaphysical literary meetings which connect me with her esthetic exist.
I often talk to her through her books, words and verses. After a serious reading of her book “HATHELI PE SURAJ” I came out with my point of view that Darakhshan Andarbi’s eloquent language, simple tone and thought-provoking style are enough to give her a high position in Urdu literature.
Her poems are similar to her ghazals. These are new accent creations in Urdu poetry produced. Poetess has a motorable study of human psychology that is very deep and a reader can feel this everywhere in her poems. The poems found in this book speak the language of the mysteries and secrets of the universe, mysticism and awareness.
This poetry is the poetry of glory and beauty. Her blank verse poetry is like her ghazals that gives a new pleasure to the human senses in the same way. After an interesting and in-depth study of this book, there are many mysteries that have come to light.
In fact, poetry is an inspiration coming from divine ways but for its expression high quality and high standard language is not necessary. The style and expression of poetess in the mentioned book is simple, smooth and beautiful however, the depth of spiritual ideas does not leave the reader without impressing.
Blank versus poem is borrowed from the West here. This style of poetry flourished in the progressive era. In fact, the main problem of the poets of that time was to free the country from the shackles of slavery and to remove the class tension, a language was needed which was not in need of rhyme, easy, and through which the nation’s problems can be easily explained. Blank verse written everywhere nowadays and it is getting a good response and encouragement from all over the world.
There are some poets who write blank verses and whose poems have a deep meaning as well as a continuum of ideas and they are not incomprehensible. Dr. Darakhshan Andarbi is one among those. As a poetess she expresses her experiences and observations based on the inner self and the universe and the most delicate feelings in the language of symbols and metaphors in such a charming and effective style that the spell of her innovation and the creative approach surprises thousands of hearts.
The words and metaphors she chooses as expressions do not interfere with the transmission of the meaning of the subject and the idea, and the stirring emotions, feelings that stir the poet’s heart are in the hearts of the readers.
Actually the words she has used in her poems lasting in this book automatically move and tighten the readers in grip. Feelings that cannot be grasped by words can only be put into the mold of creation by someone who has the ability to decipher meanings and who has mastered his art.
Dr. Darakhshan Andarbi is an expert poetess who has created dozens of epic poems and masterpieces in this book and has flowed rivers of her creative, eloquent and creative, magical beauty and perfection.
As example, many poems can be mentioned, but the reference only one wonderful poem “Ratjaga” will fulfill this need to present the wonders of this book . This poem is attributed to the interaction of the past life and the recovery of life-giving hours that in the night and in the loneliness of the night awakening, the brightness and radiance of the bright impressions of the past by depriving the ink of sadness and despair of its negative impressions.
The concluding lines of the poem are a summary of the subject itself. As she says…….
“I’m in the basement at night
Keep quiet
Under the waterfall of light
Taking a bath”
The study of the book was going on and my amazement was at its peak. When I read the poem “Judaayee” (Separation), the river of amazement turned into a sea. The poet has also presented this poem with her unique style. This poem is a result of the clash of different and contradictory voices, the widening gap between them. The two sides and the controversial thought is presented in a different poetic style where one’s patience is found in this beautiful dominant over other’s anger. Read as mentioned below.
“In the clash of different voices
The strings of music are ringing
As in your prosperity
Ringing like poverty”
In such an unspoken situation when living together is tantamount to suffering hellish torment, there can be no better way than separation or moving ahead alone. Therefore, on this occasion, this advice of the poetess provided in the poem mentioned seems natural and correct. As the poetess says…….
“Take a few steps along a third path
Take a few steps eastward
Let me go a few steps to the west”
Further, if the distance becomes impassable by moving step by step in opposite directions, then all the problems will be solved automatically. The real solution to this problem is the alienation that arises when all ties are broken. Then after that, if they ever meet on the way, they will pass by each other like strangers. They will say…….
“Even if we meet back
Then we can easily get out of each other of our own directions”
Actually this poem is about relationships and their strength. In this poem, it is said that relationships are built on mutual respect, dignity, understanding and true love. Relationships that have these qualities deserve to be called intact relationships; otherwise it becomes difficult to live together.
What is the intimacy gained without the feelings of love and mutual understanding, what is the result of such intimacy? The poet has shown the feeling of having a deep experience of this. His poem “Separation” teaches the basic principles of building a healthy relationship.
Important things like surrender, expression of happiness and sorrow are also mentioned in the relationship. Every poem of Darakhshan Andarbi which is included in the mentioned book becomes a voice of protest and tries to awaken the sleeping conscience of the people.
It has already been mentioned that the poet has studied human psychology in great depth. The result of this study is these poems. In fact, these poems are not only poems but a research work about human psychology.
In every poem there is a stage where human feeling and psychology are displayed by one or the other way. As a reader I suggest that every poetry loving must read this precious book. A serious study of the book can benefit many poets, students, researchers and critics in many ways to enjoy the natural taste of literature.
In fact this book is here with the poems of each and every subject of the universe but can’t be explained in one short review.
(The writer is a student, hails from Tangmarg. He can be reached at [email protected])
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